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James Burton
Elvis Presley approached James and asked him to play on the famous 68 Special show, but James was working with Frank Sinatra at the time and had to decline. Elvis contacted James again in 1969 to tell him that he was returning to live performances and asked James to form a band to support him. That was when The TCB Band was formed. James continued to work with Elvis until 1977 and beyond. During the 1970s James also worked with Gram Parsons and was also a member of the Hot Band formed by Gram’s girlfriend and backing singer Emmylou Harris.
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Ron Tutt
Born in Dallas, Texas, Ron started tap dancing along with singing at the age of three. He studied tap for eight years and was considered a “child prodigy” by many. By the third grade he was playing trumpet with the school orchestra, and at ten won first prize in a Dallas ukulele contest. At age eleven he tap-danced on the first ever program broadcast LIVE on television in Dallas/Fort Worth. It wasn’t until the summer of his junior year in high school that Ron gave up the trumpet and began playing drums.
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Glen D. Hardin
Glen D Hardin was born in Collingsworth County, Texas. He learned to play the piano by the age of eight but hadn’t thought about playing the piano professionally until he got a job in the infamous Palomino Club in Long Beach, California. His musical career then really took off in 1962 when he became a member of The Crickets, previously Buddy Holly’s band. During this time Glen started to write music and songs not only for The Crickets but also other fellow artists at Liberty Records. In 1965, one song, Count Me In became a number one hit for Gary Lewis and The Playboys. In the same year, he joined The Shindogs with James Burton and became a regular on the TV show Shindig.
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Jerry Schilling
His name is big both in the Elvis world and the world of show business. Jerry Schilling developed a deep friendship with the King of Rock n Roll that lasted twenty three years. He knew Elvis like no other. This is also the reason why Jerry was one of the main managers of the Elvis legacy. There is hardly a TV movie or a biography about Elvis, in which Jerry Schilling has not participated. Following Elvis’ death, Jerry worked as a tour manager for Billy Joel, was the personal manager of the Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis and the Sweet Inspirations.
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Dennis Jale
Music was the first love and companion for the 12 years old boy. Today Dennis Jale, the marked Austrian Rock voice, is the man with the inimitable acoustic colour and the force to delight his audience with any musical genre. What started softly in a bedsit reaps today hurricanes of applause on international stages. Be it a gig with his band “The Jam Gang” which he established 1998 together with his best friend Goran Mikulec or the TCB Band – the charisme of Dennis Jale wins over.
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Joe Esposito
Joe Esposito was one of the King’s closest friends and a high-ranking member of the Memphis Mafia. They both met already in 1959 when Elvis was serving in the army in Germany. Since then Joe did not leave Elvis’ side. For Elvis, who nicknamed him “Diamond Joe”, he was bodyguard, accountant and tour manager in one person. In addition Joe had small roles in some Elvis movies like Clambake, Stay Away Joe and This is Elvis. After Elvis Presley passed away Joe was amongst others tour manager for Michael Jackson.
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Paul Leim
For most musicians, there is a distinct separation between various segments of the entertainment industry. Few other musicians have so successfully bridged the gap between records, motion pictures, live performance and television. Paul has compiled an enviable “track record” in all four areas and has earned his distinction as one of the foremost drummers in the entertainment industry worldwide.
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Sam Thompson
Often viewed as a brother-in-law to Elvis, Sam Thompson is the brother of Linda Thompson, who was certainly an important partner of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll following his divorce from Priscilla. As a bodyguard and a member of the legendary memphis mafia, he spent five years (1972 to 1977) working for Elvis. He went on tour and even after the relationship between his sister and Elvis broke up, remained loyal to the King. Elvis loved to have Sam around him and bought him and his wife a house near graceland. It was in this house in 1973 that the famous “Home Recordings” were produced which are still absolute treasures today
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Linda Thompson
The name speaks for itself. Linda Thompson was the woman by Elvis Presley's side after his divorce from Priscilla. She lived with the King for almost five years in Graceland and toured with him from one concert to another. Thompson was offered countless interviews and invitations to Elvis events, which she usually rejected because she didn't want any special benefits from her relationship with the most successful singer of all time. Linda even states that the time they spent together was very special. It is all the more sensational that she accepted Dennis Jale's and the TCB Band's invitation to accompany them at the great Mediterranean cruise as a spectacular surprise guest.
But Linda is not only a star because of her unique relationship with Elvis. The now world-famous songwriter has written lyrics for stars like Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, LeAnn Rimes, and even the Backstreet Boys. She wrote songs for various blockbusters including "Bodyguard", "Eraser" and Clint Eastwood's "True Crime".
Her musical output has gotten Linda not only a Grammy, but even an Oscar nomination. The from Memphis originating woman discovered her talent as a TV actress in the 80s and 90s. Roles in "Beverly Hills 90210," "Vegas", "Fantasy Iceland" and "Starsky and Hutch" have not only made her a star, but brought her a coveted Emmy Award.
Linda will not only be available for autographs, she will also talk about her time with Elvis and answer your questions in a special 'women´s forum'.
This rare opportunity should not be missed by any real Elvis fan.
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Norbert Putnam
Norbert Putnam is considered to be one of the most genius studio bass players in Nashville, Tennessee. He performed with all major musicians of his time like Roy Orbison, Kris Kirstofferson, Henry Mancini and Linda Ronstadt. Between 1965 and 1977 he also recorded with Elvis Presley not less than 80 songs, amongst them the famous tracks from the legendary Nashville Marathons. Putnam was also very successful as a producer. Joan Baez' probably most famous song "Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" was produced by him.
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D.J.Fontana
D.J.Fontana was Elvis' drummer for 14 years and played on over 460 RCA cuts with Elvis. He began his incredible career as a staff drummer in 1953 on the famous LOUISIANA HAYRIDE. While working the Hayride in 1954 D.J. met Elvis. They formed a common bond of friendship and admiration for each other's immense talents. D.J.Fontana, Scotty Moore and Bill Black formed Elvis' original band. Fontana was the man behind the beat for the first 14 years of Elvis' career.
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